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Commercial HVAC Troubleshooting Tips Every Business Owner Should Know

Hvac technician with Motor

Proper HVAC performance is critical for improving indoor air quality for your business. It’s vital for your employees’ comfort, well-being, and productivity.

Therefore as a business owner, you need to know the most common HVAC troubleshooting tips to keep your HVAC unit running well. Knowing these tips will also keep your system running smoothly, saving your business money in the long run.

In this guide, you’ll learn the essential HVAC troubleshooting tips you need to know as a business owner!

Change Your Filters Regularly

If your HVAC unit isn’t producing the right amount of warm or cool air, the first thing to check is your filter. 

Changing your air filter every three months is essential to keeping your commercial HVAC unit functioning well. 

The air filter blocks dirt, dust, and other particles from getting into the ducts from your AC unit or furnace. Over time, the filter accumulates so much debris that the air quality in your business can be affected. You’ll also experience problems like:

  • An increase in energy bills
  • Health problems from excess dust and allergens in the air
  • Additional mechanical strain on your HVAC system 


The first step is to turn off your unit and locate the filter. Next, remove the air filter’s grill and replace the old filter with a new one. Finally, replace the grill and turn your system back on.

You’ll immediately notice that the system works better without restricted airflow.

Check the Circuit Breaker

If a dirty air filter blocks the airflow to your commercial HVAC system, it will work harder than usual.  As a result, it can end up tripping the circuit.

So, if you’ve replaced your air filter and your unit still won’t turn on, make sure to check your circuit breaker. 

Additionally, suppose your air filter is clean, and you find a breaker has been tripped. In that case, it can indicate other electrical problems.

If you find the circuit breaker is being tripped often, it’s time to call a professional heating and cooling company to diagnose the problem.

Man troubleshooting his HVAC system by checking the circuit breaker.

Check Your Thermostat

If you’re experiencing temperature issues in your building, before calling a professional, make sure to check the thermostat settings.

Sometimes, temperature problems can be remedied by checking that the thermostat is set for cooling or heating and adjusting the temperature setting. It’s also important to make sure that your thermostat is on the right setting (heat vs. cool) and not on “auto.” 

You may also want to check if the thermostat batteries need replacing. If they do, replace them and see if that solves your temperature problem.

Get the Condenser Cleaned

If you notice your building is not feeling as comfortable as it should be, a great place to start troubleshooting is the condenser.

The condenser in your air conditioner has a big job, pushing hot air out of your building. The condenser is located in your outdoor unit, so it’s susceptible to dirt, debris, and weather.

If too much debris and dirt collect inside the condenser coils, the heat won’t get pushed out of your building effectively.

If you think you have dirty coils, you should hire a professional to clean them. They’ll make sure that they use the right cleaning solution and technique and they can also do a complete system health check while they’re there.

Not only will cleaning the condenser improve the performance of your air conditioner, but it can also prolong the life of your system.

Photo of a dirty HVAC condenser

Schedule Professional Maintenance Visits

Your HVAC system needs regular maintenance from a professional company with experience servicing commercial HVAC units. 

Regular maintenance keeps your system operating longer and also catches minor problems before they become expensive repairs. So, it’s essential to schedule these maintenance checks regularly.

Your technician can also give you valuable troubleshooting tips, which will help you save money on service calls.

Get Professional Help With HVAC Troubleshooting

These are just a few HVAC troubleshooting tips for commercial property owners. Remember, it’s always best to call a professional if you are experiencing persistent issues or are unsure about how to handle a problem. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can save you money and keep your building comfortable for employees and customers.

You won’t need to look any further than JDC Heating & Cooling for all your commercial HVAC service needs. We offer HVAC maintenance, heating and cooling system installation, as well as furnace and air conditioning repair in the Pittsburgh, PA, area.

We look forward to helping you, so be sure to contact us to get started!